Continued: Job outlook

Halasz says employer interest in internships and co-ops is another good sign because it suggests companies are planning for growth and wanting to cultivate a pool for future hiring.

“There is a greater level of optimism from employers,” Halasz said. “This is particularly evident with their levels of hiring for interns and co-op students.”

A new Community Internship Program (CIP) launched this spring by the Career Center is helping to fuel that optimism. The summer program, funded by a federal stimulus grant, enables South Carolina employers to hire students and be reimbursed for half the student’s wages.

Only a few of the 90 CIP slots remain. Organizations with available internships that run the gamut of disciplines include Blackbaud, Children’s Trust for SC, Colonial Life, Edventure, SC-ETV, Johnson Controls, Merrill Lynch, Pure Fishing and SC Bank & Trust.

Halasz reminds graduating seniors who are searching for jobs that they have full access to the Career Center’s resources for the next year, including job fairs, on-campus recruiting, job postings, resume writing and interviewing skill sessions, online and print resources and individual career counseling with staff.

Job experience is the most important factor in determining the success of a job search, Halasz says. That’s why he urges students to begin getting that experience early. The sophomore year is not too early for beginning internships, co-ops and job shadowing programs. Rising seniors should visit the Career Center at the start of the academic year to create their action plan for a job search.

“We’re expecting an increased presence of on-campus recruiting for full-time positions this fall, and students need to be ready,” Halasz said.